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Jonathan Taylor vs Ray DavisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to Ray Davis's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jonathan Taylor outscored Ray Davis by 12.2 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor is the clear pick. Ray Davis profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER
Jonathan Taylor
PPG
20.0
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,585
Rush TDs
18
Rec
46
Rec Yds
378
Bye
Week 13
RBBuffalo Bills#99
Ray Davis
PPG
7.8
Games
15
Rush Yds
425
Rush TDs
3
Rec
22
Rec Yds
168
Bye
Week 12

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jonathan Taylor
Ray Davis

Head to Head

20.0 PPG7.8 PPG
17 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Ray Davis: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jonathan Taylor is producing at 91% of elite pace and Ray Davis at 35%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonathan Taylor vs Ray Davis: The Full Breakdown

Jonathan Taylor and Ray Davis are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Indianapolis Colts running back averaged 20.0 PPG in 2025, a full 12.2 points per game ahead of Ray Davis's 7.8 with the Buffalo Bills. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

The per-game difference of 12.2 points favors Jonathan Taylor, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Ray Davis profiles as a more traditional rusher with 425 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Jonathan Taylor has his bye in Week 13, and Ray Davis rests in Week 12. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Ray Davis is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Ray Davis (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Jonathan Taylor outscored Ray Davis by a projected 207 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ray Davis's 15. That durability gap means Jonathan Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Jonathan Taylor caught 46 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jonathan Taylor vs Ray Davis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJonathan TaylorRay Davis
PPG (Half-PPR)20.07.8
Games Played1715
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)340117
Rushing Yards1,585425
Rush Yds/Game93.228.3
Rushing TDs183
Receptions4622
Receiving Yards378168
Targets550
Total TDs204
Age27-
Experience5 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 12

Summary

20.0 PPG for Jonathan Taylor versus 7.8 for Ray Davis in 2025. The baseline favors Jonathan Taylor, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jonathan Taylor or Ray Davis in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Ray Davis's 7.8 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Jonathan Taylor and Ray Davis average in 2025?

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ray Davis averaged 7.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 12.2 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and Ray Davis's bye weeks in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Ray Davis (BUF) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jonathan Taylor or Ray Davis a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor outscored Ray Davis by 12.2 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.